Vote Derby Theatre as UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre 2017

Derby Theatre is in the running to be named UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre 2017, in a public vote run in association with Smooth Radio.

More than 175 venues across the country are in the running including Derby Theatre, in the public vote which is open now until noon on the 19 September 2017. From the vote 12 regional and national winners will be announced on 29 September with the overall winner set to be announced at the UK Theatre Awards on 15 October 2017.

Also nominated in the East Midlands region is Derbyshire venue Buxton Opera House and Pavillion Arts Centre along with venues in Nottingham and Leicester. The Opera House is defending its title of Most Welcoming Theatre East Midlands having won the last two years. Buxton Opera House said on their website, “The award is your way of celebrating your local theatre and how it is an important part of the community. It’s not just a chance to raise the profile of the theatre but the town as well!”

Posting the news of their nomination on their website the Derby Theatre described why they deserve your vote, saying, “As a Learning Theatre, Derby Theatre is committed to making a welcoming and open environment for both our audiences and the artists we work with. Through our Youth Theatres and Theatre Unwrapped sessions, or our artist development programme and partnership with the University of Derby, we aim to make our theatre accessible to everyone in all that we do.”

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of UK Theatre, said: “Most Welcoming Theatre is a chance for audiences to celebrate their local theatre and for venues to shout about the incredible work they are doing day in day out. Theatres are the backbone of communities across the country and this campaign highlights the vital work they do.”

You can vote online and doing so gives you a chance of winning £200 in theatre vouchers.